Havre de Grace: Kick off summer with walk on North Park Trail

Happy summer, dear readers!

Summer officially begins with the summer solstice on June 21 at 2:46 a.m. in Havre de Grace (and all along the East Coast, USA, of course). I double dare you to stay awake and welcome summer's arrival. Visit Susquehanna State Park or the North Park Trail for a little of William Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream" madness, yourself!

Celebrate June 20 as World Vegan Day with a salad picked from fresh produce purchased at the Havre de Grace Saturday Farmers Market, from 9 a.m. to noon. The market operates near the Havre de Grace Visitors Center, 450 Pennington Ave. through October.

June is National Iced Tea Month so toast Dad with a frosty glassful, Sunday, June 17. Happy Fathers Day to all those dads and grandfathers in readership land. Statisticians surmise that Fathers Day is the day of the year on which more collect phone calls are placed than any other day.

June 19 is Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, when in Texas in 1865, the abolition of slavery was announced, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War.

Cathy Vincenti told me that Fourth of July T-shirts are for sale at the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce, 450 Pennington Ave., 410-939-3303 for $7 cost.

Tom Barnes emailed me about "The Land of Which I Brag" USO show by seniors tonight (Friday) at 7 p.m. at the Havre de Grace Activity Center.

Saturday is Recess at Work Day. Still, don't get caught reading my column on company time or...show the boss this!

Juneteenth (June 19) is also Grace Place Serving Center from 11:15 a.m. to 12 :30 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 114 N. Union Ave., 410-939-2107. Volunteers will serve a free, hot luncheon to anyone in need who enters.

As the school year ends, my best wishes go out to all my fellow teachers and school support staff for another school year completed and a very relaxing and enjoyable summer "vacation."

Mary Boehly told me about the Friday concert series sponsored by the Havre de Grace Arts Commission. Free admission, no rain location. Bring chairs and picnics to Tydings Park at 7:30 p.m. for Big Cam and the Lifters tonight (Friday). Next up, is the Gloucester City String Band June 22 with a unique mixture of Mummers music.

Debbie McFadden phoned to thank all who helped with the Elks Lodge yard sale, including Charles and Evelyn Boyd and Terry Fuller for the pit beef.

Rainbows will color June, which is Gay Pride Month.

Oops! I was notified too late about the "Hello Dolly" performance and astronaut Col. Al Worden book signing. I hope they were successful.

Guided historic walking tours of Havre de Grace are available ($12 ticket) on the third weekend of the month Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. or by appointment, 410-939-0565. Start the 1 1/2 hour tour at Jana's Java Coffeehouse, 217 N. Washington St. Buy tickets at mainstreethdg.com.

The Havre de Grace Maritime Museum hosts Frank Lopez of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Saturday at 10 a.m. Lopez will present a lecture and walking tour of the area's plants and how to identify local trees. Call 410-939-4800.

Tammy told me about the Second River City "Smoke on the Water" car and truck show 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 23 (raindate June 30) by the American Legion Post 47, 501 St. John St. Proceeds benefit veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. For vehicles, there is a $12 registration fee, 410-939-0234. For flea market tables at $10 and $5, call 443-655-6595.

On June 21 at 7 p.m. City Hall, 711 Pennington Ave., Jody Argo Schroath will present "Damned if you do, damned if you don't," part of the Ellsworth B. Shank Lecture Series sponsored by the Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House, 410-939-5780.

Our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John "Jack" McLhinney, who passed May 29, at 85, my neighbor on Green Street.

Did you make the casting call for "House of Cards,"the Netflix series filmed at the Old Opera House, downtown Havre de Grace and elsewhere in Harford County? Star Kevin Spacey even signed the guestbook at the Havre de Grace Visitors Center while filming Tuesday, June 5.

Terri Glenn informed me about the Havre de Grace Senior Activity Center schedule. On June 21 is Cafe 351 murder mystery by the Havre de Grace Drama Guild with lunch, 11:30 a.m. for $4; a yoga workshop is at 10 a.m. June 22, followed by literary bingo at 1 p.m. For details, call 410-939-5121.

That's the news for a Midsummer's Dream. Keep me informed at 410-939-6562 or 226 N. Union Ave. See ya!